“Yeah.”
“How that going?”
She gave me an innocent look. “How’s what going?”
“You’re no good at being coy, Keri. Your face is like an open book.”
“It’s just a fun thing. Nothing serious.”
“Famous last words,” I said. “Be careful.”
“I am. And I’ll give you the same advice. The stakes are a lot higher for you, Sid. I’m just the team PR person.”
I nodded, not wanting to acknowledge out loud how right she was.
The ice was clearing. Killian congratulated the row of players on the other team and then headed right for the tunnel. I had a feeling he had a lot of drinking and swearing ahead of him tonight.
“Why doesn’t Nicole come to the games anymore?” Keri asked.
I shook my head. “Things have been tense since our talk a couple of weeks ago. I’m guessing she is avoiding me as much as she can.”
“She’s still mad about that?”
“I guess. To be honest, I think she is just being childish. She knew she was wrong, but she can’t seem to admit it, even to herself. I’m keeping an eye on her and she’d better pull herself together or she’s not going to like our next conversation one bit.”
Keri shrugged and said, “Geez, it’s always something, isn’t it?”
I yawned, smiled, and said goodnight to Keri and headed for my car when my phone dinged to announce a text message.
A message was displayed on my screen.
Killian: Meet up at ur place?
I wrote back.
Me: Sure you don’t want to go out with the guys? I don’t expect you to spend every night with me.
Killian: U tired of me?
Me: Not at all.
Killian: Hope u don’t mind if I work out my frustration in bed.
Me: What? You’re upset about something? I hadn’t noticed.
Killian: I think you need to wrap that smart mouth around my cock.
Me: Perhaps. I’m also in the mood to ride you.
Killian: Yes. I want lots of sex and some pancakes.
I laughed as I read the message.
Me: Deal. See you at home.
I’d just pushed Send when my mouth dropped open in horror. I’d said home. It was only my home though, and the word made me feel like a clingy girlfriend trying to speed things along.
Killian: Be in the kitchen making pancakes in something lacy and revealing. I’ll make it worth your while.
My anxiety over the word mishap faded in an instant. Now I just felt an intense need to get home and change into some of the new lingerie I’d ordered. The lacy red bra and panties with garters would be perfect.
I’d never felt so feminine and desirable. When he held my hands hostage during sex, I was at his mercy. Since I was accustomed to asserting myself during sex to make sure I got mine, this was a new sensation. He knew exactly how long I could stand it slow and deep, and when I needed it hard and fast. He knew how to touch me so I came longer and harder than I ever had.
Sexually he made me feel very safe and, slowly, I was testing the waters by starting to talk dirty back to him. It was a first for me, but it turned me on as much as it did him. I trusted him completely and I was quickly coming to a place where nothing was off limits.
I smiled as I remembered that first meeting with my reckless team captain. Things had changed a lot since then. I only hoped this unyielding passion was something that could be sustained.Killian
Once the game was over, I sat on the bench in the locker room and listened as Orion and Bruce unleashed the fury they’d been holding in for the past three hours. The raked everyone over the coals and I couldn’t blame them—for the most part, everyone had played like shit. When they were finally finished, I showered and changed and got the hell out. I didn’t want to spend another second with these assholes. All I could think about was forgetting the whole shitty mess with my head between Sid’s legs.
I jogged up to her front door just as she was trying to unlock it while balancing a paper sack of groceries on her hip.
“Here,” I said, taking the bag and keys from her. “Let me do this.”
Her face fell. “I was hoping you’d take a bit longer. I had to stop for pancake mix and syrup.”
My heart tugged with happiness.
“You didn’t have to do that. And it doesn’t matter what I said in that text message. I’m just glad to be here.”
“I know.” Her cheeks pinked a little. “But I wanted to. That thing about working out your frustration . . . I liked the sound of it.”
I turned the key and pushed the door open, allowing her to enter first. I followed, closing the door and setting the sack of groceries on the table at the front door.